Permissions Advisor | Kaitohu Whakaaetanga

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is seeking a Permissions Advisor to support the processing of applications for activities on public conservation land and for protected wildlife. You will contribute to pre-application discussions, assessment, analysis and final reports, working with a team across multiple Service Centres.

You will build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, providing professional advice while complying with relevant legislation.

Qualifications

• Confident and able communicator (written and verbal) who builds trust with others.
• Strong analytical skills and be able to transfer analysis into a professional quality report.
• Able to manage having multiple tasks on the go and apply organising tools to make the best use of your time.
• Have a sound understanding of the relevant legislative processes that we work under and/or an environmental management/planning background.

Responsibilities

• Support the application process from initial discussions and assessment through analysis and writing reports for final decision.
• Collaborate in an inclusive team process to ensure professional and high-quality outputs.
• Build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people and stakeholder groups, providing professional advice and support to internal and external customers.
• Contribute to ensuring activities on public conservation land comply with legislation and values.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Environmental law

Job description

Contribute to the regulatory management of Aotearoa’s natural resources Provide quality advice and process applications related to commercial and recreational use of conservation land and protected wildlife Permanent, full-time role based in either Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role Most activities on public conservation land, or in relation to protected wildlife, marine mammals or marine reserves, require approval from the Department. Our Permissions team members, located in Service Centres in Christchurch, Dunedin and Hokitika, along with a further team in Hamilton, process these applications. We help to ensure that activities occurring on public conservation land are undertaken in a manner that protects the values of the land and complies with the legislation. As a Permissions Advisor your key role will be supporting the application process relating to the management of submitted applications from having pre-application discussions, assessment, and analysis of the application through to writing reports for a final decision. You will be collaborating with others in an inclusive team process environment to ensure professional and high-quality outputs. You will be directly involved in building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of people, stakeholder groups and industries, providing professional advice and support to internal and external customers. This permanent, full-time role can be based in either Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• a confident and able communicator (both written and verbal) who builds trust with others
• can demonstrate strong analytical skills and be able to transfer analysis into a professional quality report
• able to manage having multiple tasks on the go and apply organising tools to make the best use of your time
• have a sound understanding of the relevant legislative processes that we work under and/or an environmental management/planning background

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary: $69,429–$88,181, depending on skills and experience. Eligibility: You must hold a valid New Zealand work visa that covers the duration of employment. Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday, 23 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries about this role, please contact Christine Butler at [e-mail].

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles.